Americana; What,If Anything, Does That Mean to You?

Have you heard the term, "Americana"?

What, if anything, does that mean to you, or rather, what comes to mind when you hear the term?

While you ponder, I'll start!

For me, it signifies:

• Faith

  An unseeing yet uncompromising Faith which comes from believing in a heavenly Father. A heavenly Father who was very much a part of the formation and founding of the United States of America. Mentioned in our Declaration of Independence, no less than four times, and mentioned repeatedly thereafter by our Founding Fathers. Prayerfully, not in vain! This, our beginning; the formation, the foundation, the solid ground which God has asked us to build upon!

• Pride

  Pride in this land that I love; this land which has provided for us, sustained us, kept us, fascinated us, and left us in awe. Rich in natural resources, vast in majestic beauty from the Grand Canyon to Niagara Falls, and from sea to shining sea, as the timeless song, 'America the Beautiful', pays tribute. Our homeland, in all her glory! But also, pride in this Republic which we have been given. An idea, an experiment, an investment, in us, the American people!

• Honor

  We must be honored by this investment in us which did take hold, and has held up for 250 years now! A great privilege, but also a great responsibility, for each generation determines whether we "Keep this Republic", or trade it for something else. Something which comes off as shiny and new, but is older and more useless than dirt (and, can and will, bury you!)

  We the people determine if we succeed or implode! Therefore, "We the People" are responsible for whether we "Keep this Republic" for another 250 years... or not!

• Fascination:

  I stand in awe of how it all came together. Individuals, seeking an escape from tyranny, where they would be free to worship, to think for themselves, and be totally self-sufficient... came across a shining {and unforgiving} sea, unsure of what they would face, and find!

  It took a minute... close to two centuries actually, for settlements and colonies to become a Nation, but, not before a costly war for Independence! A tyrannical King from across the pond, {as the Brits say} would not remove his thumb, and refused to let us be.

  The rest is history!

• Patriotism

  Beyond the pride, beyond the awe, but very much in keeping with Faith; an appreciation of the sacrifice and great cost, which came before us, the sacrifice and great cost that is still required in order to protect and defend that which we have!Although, built firmly in its foundation, on solid ground, not immune to the jackhammers of hate, spite, lies. jealously, distortions...

  Our flag exemplifies the sacrifice, the cost, and is a constant reminder that the fight to keep her, from all enemies, both foreign and domestic... is also, constant!

I could probably go on - as I have often done in describing this land that I love, but I'll stop here for now.

I want to hear from others, whether foreign or domestic, as to what "Americana" or America, means to you.

God Bless and Keep these United States of America!